Modular electronic control unit housing system

Abstract

A system for housing a circuit board including pin connectors. The system includes a case configured to cover the circuit board. The case defines an opening arranged to permit access to the pin connectors of the circuit board and includes a case coupling interface at the opening. A connector housing includes a pin interface configured to receive the pin connectors of the circuit board and a connector housing coupling interface configured to cooperate with the case coupling interface to secure the connector housing to the case over the opening and in cooperation with the pin connectors.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for housing a circuit board including pin connectors, the system comprising:
 a case configured to cover the circuit board, the case defining an opening arranged to permit access to the pin connectors of the circuit board and including a case coupling interface at the opening; and   a connector housing including a pin interface configured to receive the pin connectors of the circuit board and a connector housing coupling interface configured to cooperate with the case coupling interface to secure the connector housing to the case over the opening and in cooperation with the pin connectors.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the connector housing defines a receptacle configured to cooperate with a wiring connector. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the pin interface is accessible within the receptacle. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the connector housing coupling interface is at an undersurface of the connector opposite to the receptacle. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the connector housing coupling interface includes a clip; and   the case coupling interface of the case defines a slot configured to receive and retain the clip to secure the connector housing to the case.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the connector housing coupling interface includes a locator pin; and   the case coupling interface of the case defines a pin receptable configured to receive the locator pin therein.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the connector housing coupling interface includes a tab configured to abut the case when the connector housing is mounted to the case. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the pin interface of the connector housing defines a plurality of apertures, each one of the plurality of apertures is positioned and sized to receive one of the pin connectors when the connector housing is connected to the case. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of apertures are arranged in rows and columns corresponding to rows and columns of the pin connectors of the circuit board. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the connector housing is a first connector housing and the pin interface is a first pin interface configured to receive the pin connectors in a first pin arrangement;   the opening of the case is a first opening, the case further defining a second opening arranged to permit access to a second pin arrangement of the pin connectors on the circuit board that is different from the first pin arrangement;   the system further includes a second connector housing including a second pin interface configured to receive the pin connectors of the second pin arrangement, the second pin interface is different from the first pin interface;   the case coupling interface is a first case coupling interface and the connector housing coupling interface is a first connector housing coupling interface;   the case includes a second case coupling interface at the second opening that is the same as the first case coupling interface; and   the second connector housing includes a second connector housing coupling interface that is the same as the first connector housing coupling interface.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the connector housing is one of a plurality of connector housings each including the connector housing coupling interface and the pin interface; and
 wherein the connector housing coupling interface of each one of the plurality of connector housings is the same, and the pin interface of each one of the plurality of connector housings is different.   
     
     
         12 . A system for housing a circuit board including pin connectors, the system comprising:
 a case configured to cover the circuit board, the case defining a first opening arranged to permit access to a first pin arrangement of the pin connectors of the circuit board and defining a second opening arranged to permit access to a second pin arrangement of the pin connectors of the circuit board, the first pin arrangement and the second pin arrangement are different;   a first case coupling interface adjacent to the first opening and a second case coupling interface adjacent to the second opening, the first case coupling interface and the second case coupling interface are the same;   a first connector housing including a first pin interface configured to receive the first pin arrangement of the circuit board and a first connector housing coupling interface configured to cooperate with the first case coupling interface; and   a second connector housing including a second pin interface configured to receive the second pin arrangement of the circuit board and a second connector housing coupling interface configured to cooperate with the second case coupling interface,   wherein the first pin interface and the second pin interface are different, and the first connector housing coupling interface and the second connector housing coupling interface are the same.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the first connector housing coupling interface and the second connector housing coupling interface each include locator pins and clips. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first case coupling interface and the second case coupling interface each define slots configured to receive the clips and receptacles configured to receive the locator pins. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the first pin interface defines a first plurality of apertures each positioned and sized to receive the pin connectors of the first pin arrangement, and the second pin interface defines a second plurality of apertures each positioned and sized to receive the pin connectors of the second pin arrangement. 
     
     
         16 . A system for housing a circuit board including pin connectors, the system comprising:
 a case configured to cover the circuit board, the case defining an opening arranged to permit access to the pin connectors of the circuit board and including a case coupling interface at the opening; and   a plurality of connector housings each including a pin interface and a connector housing coupling interface, the pin interface of each one of the plurality of connector housings is different and the connector housing coupling interface of each one of the plurality of connector housings is the same,   wherein the pin interface of at least one of the plurality of connector housings is configured to receive the pin connectors of the circuit board arranged in a first pin arrangement.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , the pin interface of at least one of the plurality of connector housings is configured to receive the pin connectors of the circuit board arranged in a second pin arrangement that is different from the first pin arrangement. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein each one of the plurality of connector housings defines a receptacle configured to cooperate with a connector of a wiring. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the pin interface is accessible within the receptacle. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the connector housing coupling interface of each one of the plurality of connector housings includes clips and locator pins, and   the case coupling interface defines slots configured to receive the clips and receptacles configured to receive the locator pins.